Major bills from Alabama’s 2026 legislative session to know about

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The 2026 Alabama legislative session is over. Lawmakers passed measures on environmental regulations, camp safety, career technical education, ambulance services and other issues.

HB475 expands the Public Service Commission from three statewide seats to seven seats elected by congressional district and creates a Secretary of Energy position. Supporters say it brings more attention to electricity costs. The U.S. Energy Information Administration shows Alabama’s average residential electricity rates are higher than other Southeast states.

Ten Commandments in schools

Governor Ivey signed SB99, requiring public schools to post the Ten Commandments alongside other historical documents. The sponsor says the goal is to highlight biblical law’s role in America’s founding principles.

Stronger basic care standards for dogs

“Beau’s Law” requires dogs to have access to food, water, and shelter, and places restrictions on how they can be tethered outdoors.

SNAP limits on soda and candy

SB57 directs the state to seek a federal waiver to prohibit purchasing candy and sugar-sweetened soda with SNAP benefits. Diet drinks would not be included. Supporters say it could help address obesity and other health issues.

Tax breaks on food and overtime

HB527 creates a state income tax deduction for overtime pay—up to $1,000 per year—from 2026 through 2028, and suspends the state sales tax on groceries for two months.

Environmental regulations

Lawmakers passed SB71, which prohibits the state from making environmental regulations that are more stringent than federal rules. If there is no federal regulation, the state can make a rule only if it can show a “direct causal link” to “manifest bodily harm.” Supporters said the bill would provide clear standards Alabama needs to compete against in recruiting industry. Environmental and health advocates said state agencies will not be able to implement rules before someone is seriously hurt.

Camp safety

The Legislature passed the Sarah Marsh Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act in response to the flooding tragedy last summer at Camp Mystic in Texas. The bill requires camps have plans for emergencies such as severe storms, flash flooding or other natural or man-made disasters. It is named in honor of Sarah Marsh, 8, of Mountain Brook, who died along with 26 others.

Career technical education

House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter said career technical and vocational education was a top priority when the session started. The Legislature appropriated $150 million to expand career tech next year, following up on $100 million this year.

“A certified plumber or electrician today can make as much money as a doctor or lawyer,” Ledbetter said.

Lawmakers passed two bills intended to provide more qualified teachers in high school vocational and career tech programs. One, called the Talent Readiness and Industry Needs Act, or TRAIN Act, provides tax credits for companies that loan employees to teach in career tech programs. HB520 expedites Alabama’s teacher certification for career tech teachers who have taught in other states.

Ambulance services

SB269 sets minimum reimbursement rates paid to ground ambulance services. The legislation is intended to help resolve a shortage of ambulance services.

Death penalty expansion

Lawmakers made first-degree rape of a child younger than 12 punishable by death. The bill also applies to first-degree sodomy and sexual torture. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the death penalty for crimes that did not cause death violates the constitution.

University governance

University boards of trustees will have more control over faculty senates, tenure and curriculum under HB 580. The bill will limit the power of faculty senate groups and create a review process for tenured faculty.

Election audits

County probate judges will oversee post-election audits of one randomly selected race in one precinct after every general election under HB95. Rep. Joe Lovvorn said the purpose is to identify any potential problems with ballot tabulating machines or other glitches.

Other measures

-Alabama state government officially recognized President Trump’s name change for the Gulf of Mexico. All newly created maps, documents, educational materials, websites, and other resources will now reflect the change to Gulf of America.

-Lawmakers increased the penalty for attempting to elude police.

-Lawmakers passed SB9 to ban vaping in public places. The bill added vaping to Alabama Clean Indoor Air Act, which outlaws smoking in most enclosed public spaces.

-SB108 allows people 80 and older to ask for permanent exemption from jury duty and requires courts to grant that exemption when they get a written request.

-SB63 will place restrictions on insurance companies use of artificial intelligence to make decisions about health insurance coverage.

-HB361 prohibits discrimination against living organ donors on health insurance coverage. It provides paid medical leave for public employees who donate organs and a tax credit to private sector employers that provide similar paid leave to their employees.

-SB209 will add new guidelines for sex education programs in Alabama schools, including encouraging abstinence from all sexual activity. The bill prohibits courses from including demonstrations of contraceptives or information about how to obtain contraceptives.

-SB342 will clarify the law to say that students who receive funds under the CHOOSE Act will be eligible for athletics. State officials disagreed with the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s decision last year to say that CHOOSE Act students had to sit out a year under the AHSAA’s financial aid rule.

-SB183 removes natural hairstylists and natural hairstylist shops and salons from licensure and regulation by the Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. Natural hairstyling includes cleansing, weaving or interweaving, locking, braiding, extending or arranging the hair.

-SB240 will allow state inmates to appear at their parole hearings by phone or video conference. Before, inmates did not attend or get a chance to speak at their hearings in front of the three-member parole board. The bill allows victims and their families and representatives to also participate in parole hearings remotely, rather than have to make the trip to Montgomery.